Brittany
Can you have a career as a Physician Assistant outside the United States?
I am a Biology Major, currently attending Florida Atlantic University. I plan to attend a PA program after I graduate college. I would like to work in a developing country, ideally somewhere in Africa. I was recommended to join the Peace Corps, however, I know little about it. Any thoughts? #jobs #physician #physicians-assistant #medical-assisting #peace-corps
3 answers
Daniela Silva
Daniela’s Answer
Hi Brittany,
- The Peace Corps staff includes at least one medical officer at each country's post. Nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and physicians can serve as a Peace Corps medical officer. These dedicated providers include host-country nationals, third-country nationals and Americans. They are all carefully evaluated and credentialed by Peace Corps' Office of Medical Services Quality Improvement Unit at Headquarters. The quality of medical care at the posts is monitored regularly by the Office of Medical Services at Peace Corps headquarters.
These are the criteria to apply:
Peace Corps Response provides qualified professionals the opportunity to serve in rewarding, short-term assignments, in various programs around the world.
To be eligible for Peace Corps Response, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen and one (1) of the following:
An experienced professional
A returned Peace Corps Volunteer
A licensed physician or nurse
Click “search openings” below to view the list of open positions.
Search openings
View current opportunities or search on specific criteria to find opportunities that match your experience.
Submit resume
Upload a general resume to the Peace Corps Response database. This is not an application, but we may reach out to you if we have a position that fits your skills and experience. Please note that if you would like to be considered for a specific assignment, you must apply directly to a posted position.
More in: http://www.peacecorps.gov/apply/
Good luck!
Ken Simmons
Ken’s Answer
Hi Brdittany!
Here are some suggestions:
Here is an internship program that might be helpful:
http://www.gapmedics.com/programs/pre-physicians-assistant-internship/
Here are some examples of Physicians Assistants abroad:
https://www.aapa.org/twocolumn.aspx?id=3161
https://www.aapa.org/threecolumnlanding.aspx?id=370
http://www.pasforglobalhealth.com/
http://www.thepalife.com/the-globalization-of-physician-assistants/
Best of luck! Please keep me posted. I would like to follow your progress!
Savannah Hicks
Savannah’s Answer
The Peace Corps is typically a 2-year program that can give you experience in community development, working in a developing country, and language skills. That, combined with a PA degree would likely give you a strong background for doing PA work in a developing country context similar to that of Doctors Without Borders etc. Peace Corps itself will not provide you with any medical-related education or deep experience as you typically are assigned to a community and a broad subject area such as "Community Economic Development" or "Education". As mentioned above, Peace Corps does have a shorter (3-12 month) program for those with more work experience called Peace Corps Response which might have opportunities related to medicine, though it is likely would not be working directly with patients but instead advising a clinic or something to that effect.
That said, I highly recommend Peace Corps for anyone interested in it. It was an extremely formative experience for me, I made lifelong relationships and learned so much about myself and my host country (Panama).
I would look into organizations such as Red Cross, UNICEF, and Doctors Without Borders for medicine-related work abroad.
Best of luck!
Savannah